640 RAPTOEES, OR BIRDS OP PREY. 



one of these periodical distributions at Concepcion de Mojos, an 

 Indian told me beforehand that I should see the most impudent 

 bird possible, which was well known by the inhabitants by having 

 lost a foot. It was not long, in fact, before we saw it come up, 

 and it certainly showed all the qualities that had been attributed 

 to it. I was told," saj'S he, "that it was perfectlj' aware of the 

 time of the distribution, which took place every fifteen days in 

 each mission. And true enough, for happening to be present the 

 following week at a similar performance at the mission of Mag- 

 dalena, distant twenty leagues from Concepcion, I heard the 

 Indians cry out, and soon recognised the lame Urubu just arrived. 

 The cures of the two missions informed me that this bird never 

 failed to be present on the fixed days at both places. This fact 

 would seem to indicate a very high degree of instinct in the 

 Urubu, combined with memory." 



According as it inhabits country or town, the Urubu passes the 

 nio'ht on branches of trees or roofs of houses. As soon as it 



o 



is light in the morning it proceeds to search for food ; and, 

 describing wide circles in the air, explores the neighbourhood. If 

 it perceives a carcass, it pitches on it, and, from the jDOWor with 

 which its beak is furnished, soon efl^ects an opening through the 

 hide into the intestines. But its movements have been watched 

 by others, and soon thousands arrive to take part in the putrid 

 banquet. Contests and fights, wrangling and struggling, in which 

 the strongest is alwaj's triumphant, then arise. In an incredibly 

 short time the carcass is devoured, and nothing remains but a 

 skeleton, the bones of which are cleaned as thoroughly as if 

 done by an anatomist. The Urubus afterwards perch in the 

 neio-hbourhood, and with their necks drawn back between their 

 shoulders, and their wings extended, rapidly digest their food. 

 The Urubus, like most of the Vulture family, spread their wings out 

 for hours, although in a state of repose. The cause of this habit 

 is that the attitude permits them to exhale from their bodies a 

 kind of greasy perspiration. 



In spite of the services which this bird renders to man, it [is 

 still regarded with the greatest repugnance. Nevertheless, 

 D'Orbigny states that he has seen some completcl}^ tamed, and 

 that they appeared susceptible of affection. This naturalist also 



